ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
IAF Celebrates Birth Centenary of Late Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh DFC
Today, Indian Air Force marked the beginning of celebration of birth centenary of Late Marshal of Indian Air Force Arjan Singh DFC. This day reminds the nation of contribution made by the Marshal to the nation and Indian Air Force. Marshal was known for his Professional Competence, Leadership and Strategic Vision.
Arjan Singh was born on 15 April 1919 in Lyallpur . He was 19 years of age when he was selected for training at RAF College Cranwell in 1938 and was commissioned into RAF as a Pilot Officer in December 1939. He was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross  for outstanding leadership, great skill and courage in Burma Campaign during World War II. He also led India as Chief of the Air Staff in the 1965 war against Pakistan, wherein IAF gained air superiority over PAF and helped Indian Army score strategic victories. He passed away on 16 September 2017 at the age of 98. His dynamic personality, professional competence, honesty of purpose in his service to the country and the IAF truly sets him apart as a leader and an icon of the Indian Air Force.
To commemorate this, various events have been planned over a period of one year. IAF conducted a Half Marathon on 14 April 2019 flagging off from Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium covering prominent places like Lodhi road, Mathura road, India Gate, Rajpathetc, and culminating again at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium. Marshal of the Indian Air ForceArjan Singh was a visionary, a proponent of Air Power and he played a stellar role in laying the foundation of IAF as a formidable fighting force. As a tribute to his vision for IAF, a seminar with the theme “Air Power in the 2040s: Impact of Technology” was also held today at Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park. The seminar was attended by various serving and retired dignitaries.
After the seminar, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC unveiled the bust of Marshal of the Indian Air Force atAir HQs. IAF has also planned to conduct Marshal Cup All India Hockey tournament which kicked offtoday at Chandigarh and the same will conclude on 25 April2019.
Ministry of Defence
INS KHANJAR ARRIVES AT TRINCOMALEE
Indian Naval Ship Khanjar, mission deployed in the Southern IOR, arrived at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka for an operational turnaround. The ship was accorded a customary welcome by the Sri Lanka Navy.
During the ship’s visit, the two navies will engage in various activities including planning discussions, professional exchanges on the topics of mutual interest, sports fixtures and visits onboard Khanjar by trainees from the Naval and Maritime Academy, Sri Lanka. The port call is aimed at further enhancing the close ties and interoperability between the Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy.
INS Khanjar is the fourth ship of the indigenously designed and built Khukri class missile corvettes. Built by GRSE, Kolkata, the ship is armed with an array of modern weapons and sensors. The ship is a part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet and is commanded by Cdr NVSP Kumar.
Special Service and Features
KV Pattom observes 'National Unity Day'
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom observed 'National Unity Day' . Students and staff took 'Ekta pledge'and participated in the Run For Unity. Shri Harikumar P. S.,the senior most teacher flagged off the National Unity Day Run. Exhibitions  and speeches on the life and contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were also organized in the Vidyalaya.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Payroll Reporting in India – A Formal Employment Perspective
The National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the press note on Employment Outlook of the country covering the period September, 2017 toMarch, 2021 based on the administrative records available with selected government agencies to assess the progress in certain dimensions.
A detailed note is annexed.
Ministry of Defence
Operation Samudra Setu - INS Jalashwa Arrives at Tuticorin with Indian Citizens Embarked from Sri Lanka
INS Jalashwa, deployed by the Indian Navy for “Operation Samudra Setu", entered Tuticorin harbour on 02 June 2020 with 685 Indian nationals evacuated from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Embarkation of Indian nationals was facilitated by the Indian Mission in Sri Lanka. Personnel were embarked onboard after carrying out requisite medical screening. COVID related safety protocols were also strictly adhered to during the sea-passage.
The evacuees were received by local authorities at Tuticorin and arrangements were in place for speedy disembarkation, health screening, immigration and transportation of the evacuees.
With this evacuation, Indian Navy has now repatriated 2173 Indian nationals from Maldives  and Sri Lanka  during the ongoing pandemic.
INS Jalashwa would now be proceeding to Maldives for repatriation of approximate 700 Indian nationals on 05 June 2020.
VM/ MS
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Ministry of Defence
Final User Trial of NAG Missile
Final user trial of 3rd generation Anti Tank Guided Missile  NAG was carried out today on 22 Oct 2020 at 0645 hrs from Pokhran range. The missile was integrated with the actual warhead and a tank target was kept at designated range. This was launched from NAG Missile Carrier NAMICA. The missile hit the target accurately defeating the armour.
ATGM NAG has been developed by DRDO to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in day and night conditions. The missile has “Fire & Forget” “Top Attack” capabilities with passive homing guidance to defeat all MBTs equipped with composite and reactive armour.
The NAG missile carrier NAMICA is a BMP II based system with amphibious capability. With this final user trial, NAG will enter into production phase. The missile will be produced by Defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Limited , whereas Ordnance Factory Medak will produce the NAMICA.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and Indian Army for the successful trial of NAG Missile.
Secretary DDR&D & Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of DRDO, Indian Army and Industry in bringing the missile up to the production phase.
ABB/Nampi/Rajib
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Ministry of Finance
DRI busts gang involved in illegal smuggling of areca nuts, arrests five persons
: Mumbai, August 9, 2023
A unique modus operandi has been busted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  wherein Areca nuts were smuggled by replacing the undeclared areca nuts stuffed in the containers by the declared cover cargo during container movement from the port to the container freight station . In this major crackdown on a smuggling racket, DRI has arrested five persons and seized more than 50 metric tons of Areca nuts which were illegally smuggled into India.
There were two separate cases, in which the DRI sleuths intercepted containers coming from Dubai, UAE, to find more than 50 metric tons of Areca nuts.
In the first case, based on specific intelligence, DRI intercepted a 40 ft container shipped from Dubai, UAE, where the import cargo was declared as “Quick Lime Lumps”. A detailed examination of the container was done and 25.9 MT  of Areca nuts in split form was found. The Areca nuts weighing 25.9 MT valued at Rs. 2.23 Cr  were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
In the second case, DRI intercepted a 40 ft container shipped from Dubai, UAE where the import cargo was declared as “Gypsum Powder”. A detailed examination revealed that the entire consignment was mis-declared, and goods found inside were Areca nuts in whole form, packed in jute gunny bags. A total of 25.8 metric tons  of Areca nuts, valued at Rs. 2.2 crores, recovered during the examination was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962.
Based on investigation, two persons were arrested, including the IEC holder of the first case. However, further investigation revealed that similar smuggling had been done through some other containers. Interrogation of arrested persons and thorough investigation revealed that areca nuts in two more containers were smuggled in similar fashion by way of misdeclaration and replacement of the smuggled areca nuts stuffed in the container by the cover cargo  during the container movement from the port to the CFS . Acting on the intelligence gathered, three more persons were apprehended and, on interrogation, they revealed the complete modus operandi of smuggling areca nuts.
In this major crackdown on the smuggling racket, DRI has arrested a total of five persons and seized more than 50 MTS of Areca nuts. A thorough investigation and success of DRI in busting the smuggling racket and nabbing the masterminds in the above case indicates the strong commitment of the officers of DRI on a regular basis towards the ongoing battle against smuggling.
Election Commission
Schedule for election to 8-Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of Tamil Nadu– Regarding
Notification calling General Election to 8-Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of Tamil Nadu vide Notification No.464/EPS/2019 dated 19.03.2019 was rescinded by the President in pursuance of the Commission’s proceeding no. 464/ECI/LET/TERR/TN/SS-I/2019 dated 14.04.2019. The Commission issued Press Note No.ECI/PN/49/2019 dated 16thApril, 2019 in this regard.
Now, the Commission has considered the matter and has decided to hold theGeneral Election of 8-Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of Tamil Nadu. In pursuance of Sections 30 and 56 of the R.P.Act, 1951,as per the programme mentioned as under: -
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Poll Events
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Schedule
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Date of Issue of Gazette Notification
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11.07.2019
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Last Date of Nominations
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18.07.2019
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Date for Scrutiny of Nominations
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19.07.2019
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Last Date for Withdrawal of candidatures
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22.07.2019
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Date of Poll
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05.08.2019
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Date of Counting
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09.08.2019
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Date before which election shall be completed
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11.08.2019
ELECTORALROLL
The Electoral Rolls for the aforesaid Parliamentary Constituency w.r.t 01.01.2019 as the qualifying date has been finally published.
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES and VVPATs
The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the election in all the polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available and all steps have been taken toensure that the polls are conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.
VOTERS IDENTIFICATION
In consonance with the past practice, the Commission has decided that the voter’s identification shall be mandatory in the aforementioned election at the time of poll. Electoral Photo Identity Cards  shall be the main document of identification of a voter. However, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the electoral Rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional documents for identification of voters at the time of poll in the said election.
MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district in which the whole or any part of Parliamentary Constituency going for election is included, subject to partial modification as issued vide Commission’s instruction No.437/6/INST/2016-CCS, dated 29th June, 2017 . The Model Code of conduct shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and State Government concerned. The Model Code of Conduct shall also be applicable to the Union Government for the district of the State concerned.
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SBS/AC
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Notification allowing use of H-CNG issued
In a major step toward adopting alternative clean fuel for transportation, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has allowed use of H-CNG  in CNG engines. The Ministry has been notifying various alternate fuels under Clean Fuels for transportation. The Bureau of Indian Standards  has also developed specifications  of Hydrogen enriched Compressed Natural Gas  for automotive purposes, as a fuel. Certain CNG-engine were tested to understand the emission reduction using H-CNG as compared to ‘neat’ CNG.
A notification for amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, for inclusion of H-CNG as an automotive fuel has been published vide GSR 585  dated 25th Sept 2020 by the Ministry. The draft rules in this respect were made available to the public on the 22nd July last. No objections and suggestions were received from the public in this respect.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Scheme
The Government has taken a number of initiatives under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to mitigate the negative impact of Covid-19 on small businesses, including MSMEs, in the country. Some of them are:
- Rs. 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for stressed MSMEs.
- Rs.3 lakh crores Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  for Businesses, including MSMEs .
- Rs. 50,000 crore equity infusion through Self Reliant India Fund.
- New revised criteria of classification of MSMEs.
- New registration of MSMEs through ‘Udyam Registration’ for Ease of Doing Business.
vi No global tenders for procurement up to Rs. 200 crores.
Promotion and development of MSMEs is a continuous process. The Government of India, interacts regularly with Stakeholders, Industry Associations, Individual Enterprises, State Government through Seminars, Video Conferencing, Meeting etc., to assess the problems and challenges faced by the MSMEs. The Ministry of MSME implements various schemes and programmes for the promotion and development of MSMEs across India including Maharashtra. These schemes and programmes inter alia include Prime Minister’s Employment Generation programme , Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries , Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises, Micro and Small Enterprises - Cluster Development Programme , etc.
As informed by Directorate General of Trade Remedies , Ministry of Commerce & Industry, they neither keep any record as to which major countries of the world play key role in dumping products of the small scale industries in the markets of other countries nor promote dumping of any kind of goods in any country.
The Ministry of MSME, in order to help the MSMEs to grow technologically and to enhance their competitiveness, has established new Technology Centres  and Extension Centres  across the country. These TCs/ECs provide various services like technology support, skilling, incubation and consultancy to MSMEs and skill seekers, leading to enhancement in employability of the skill seekers, competitiveness of MSMEs and creation of new MSMEs in the country.
This information was given by Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Provision of ‘near to home’ vaccination centers will benefit a large number of Senior Citizens and Divyangjan : Shri Rattan Lal Kataria
Welcoming the directions issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for providing ‘near to home ’vaccination centers to Senior Citizens and Divyangjan, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Sh Rattan Lal Kataria has said that the move shall benefit around 14 Crore senior citizens and 2.2 Crore Divyangjan across the nation. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment had earlier flagged the problems being faced by Persons with Disabilities in testing, treatment and vaccination to MoHFW.
An advisory was also issued for Senior Citizens regarding COVID appropriate behavior on 27th April 2021 by the Ministry in consultation with the Geriatric Department of AIIMS, Delhi.
Mr Kataria has stated that the Modi Government is sensitive to the needs of people and is working relentlessly to provide immediate relief amidst the ongoing pandemic. He has further informed that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is committed to the cause of weaker sections of society and other vulnerable groups.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has also launched a Helpline number for providing psychological support to people belonging to transgender community. Counseling through expert psychologists is available for Transgenders  who are facing extreme stress owing to highly uncertain and evolving circumstances.
The Ministry has also announced one time Subsistence allowance of Rs 1500 for transgender persons who are adversely affected by the lockdown restrictions imposed by respective state governments. The financial assistance, as an interim relief measure, was also extended last year when 7000 people from TG community benefitted.
Mr Kataria also added that Ministry, through its letter dated 20th May 2021, urged all state governments to spread awareness amongst transgender community in vernacular language regarding the COVID vaccination programme , to make existing vaccination centers TG friendly and to organize separate camps as well as mobile booths for vaccinating the TG community.
The minister added that we are witnessing the world’s largest and fastest vaccination programme where the Government has so far administered 20.27 Crore doses of vaccines within 130 days. He urged all public authorities and stakeholders to join hands in collectively fighting the second wave of COVID-19. He reposed full faith in the intent and resolute leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and claimed that soon with the active cooperation from all sections of society, we shall be able to tide through the second wave.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccination
More than 23 Lakh Healthcare Workers Vaccinated across the country
Nearly 3 Lakh beneficiaries vaccinated till 6 pm on 12th day of vaccination drive
Only 0.0007% people have recorded hospitalization against vaccinations
No case of serious/severe AEFI or death attributable to vaccination till date
The countrywide COVID-19 vaccination program was conducted successfully on the twelfth day. Planned sessions were conducted in 28 States/UTs.
The cumulative number of healthcare workers vaccinated against COVID19 has crossed 23 lakh today. A total of 23,28,779 beneficiaries  were vaccinated through 41,599 sessions, as per the provisional report. 2,99,299 beneficiaries were vaccinated today through 5,308 sessions held till 6 pm.
Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight.
79% of beneficiaries vaccinated today are from 5 States of Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The beneficiaries vaccinated today in the 28 States and UTs are as below:
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S. No.
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State/UT
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Beneficiaries vaccinated

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1
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Andhra Pradesh
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8,491
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2
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Assam
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162
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3
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Bihar
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606
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4
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Chandigarh
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285
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5
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Chhattisgarh
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10,906
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6
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Delhi
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6,441
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7
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Goa
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476
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8
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Gujarat
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1,366
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9
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Haryana
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5,353
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10
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Himachal Pradesh
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461
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11
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Jammu and Kashmir
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158
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12
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Jharkhand
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5,287
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13
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Karnataka
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33,124
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14
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Kerala
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10,541
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15
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Ladakh
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141
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16
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Madhya Pradesh
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60,194
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17
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Maharashtra
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37,575
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18
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Manipur
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360
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19
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Meghalaya
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482
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20
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Mizoram
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872
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21
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Nagaland
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547
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22
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Odisha
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1,195
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23
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Punjab
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4,636
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24
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Rajasthan
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71,632
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25
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Sikkim
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257
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26
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Tamil Nadu
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4,316
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27
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Uttarakhand
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172
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28
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West Bengal
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33,263
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Total
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2,99,299
123 AEFIs have been reported till 6 pm on the twelfth day of the vaccination drive.
Total 16 persons have been hospitalized so far. 0.0007% people have recorded hospitalization against vaccinations.
In the last 24 hours, one person who is suffering from bacterial sepsis has been hospitalized at Apollo Hospital, Chennai. He was vaccinated on 23rd January and was hospitalized on 24th January.
Total 9 deaths have been reported so far. None of these deaths have been causally linked with COVID-19 vaccination.
In the last 24 hours, one person aged 23 years, a resident of Odisha has died. The post-mortem report is awaited.
No case of serious/severe AEFI/Death attributable to vaccination till date.
Ministry of Defence
Prime Minister dedicates 7 new Defence Companies to the Nation
Kolkata; October, 15, 2021
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated 7 newly formed Defence companies to the Nation in a programme organized by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence at DRDO Bhawan auditorium, New Delhi today on October 15, 2021. All 7 Headquarters of Defence companies and 41 Ordnance Factories were connected virtually in this program. The program started with Ayudh Puja at DRDO Bhawan, performed by the Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.
The Prime Minister in his address stressed upon innovation and Research in the field of Defence Production. He also made an appeal to seven newly formed companies to make India self reliant in the field of Defence Production.
The General Manager of Ordnance Factory Dumdum and employees performed Shastra Puja at Ordnace Factory Dumdum On this occasion. An exhibition of Defence products were also organized for the employees, their family members and other visitors.
Ordnance Factory Dumdum, a unit of Yantra India Limited, has expertise in Laser cutting, Precision machining and Fabrication works. The factory is equipped with 200 tons Hydraulic Press, Injection moulding Machines of various capacities, Precision Universal Grinding Machine, etc. Over a period of time, Ordnance Factory Dumdum has supplied Tail Unit of 450kg HSLD BOMB and other types of bombs, Fin Assembly and stabiliser for Shell 125 MM HE, Magzine for 5.56 mm LMG and INSAS, Candle smoke body, Fuze for 105-37 LFGE2 etc to Air Force and its sister Ordnance factories. Recently Ordnance Factory Dumdum has developed Mine APM -14, 40 mm Fuze for UBGL/MGL,Cell Assembly for T-90 Tank , Muzzle adopter for 38 Mm GAS GUN etc .
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Satwik SaiRaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty for becoming the first Indian Men's Doubles pair to win the Badminton Asia Championships Title
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Satwik SaiRaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty for becoming the first Indian Men's Doubles pair to win the Badminton Asia Championships Title.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"Proud of @satwiksairaj and @Shettychirag04 for scripting history by becoming the first Indian Men's Doubles pair to win the Badminton Asia Championships Title. Congratulations to them and wishing them the very best for their future endeavours."